Performance improvement unit for pulsed-ultraviolet devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method for improving a performance of a pulsed-ultraviolet (PUV) device. The method includes monitoring an input current across a circuit breaker in communication with a UV lamp, where the input current is delivered by a power signal and is interrupted by the circuit breaker upon exceeding a predefined cut-off current; generating a pulse signal having a set of frequencies based on the power signal for driving the UV lamp, where the pulse signal is associated with a predetermined cut-off frequency that increases the input current beyond the cut-off current; determining a predefined threshold current less than the cut-off current; and configuring the pulse signal with multiple distinct pulse frequencies per second for a predefined configuration period based on the input current exceeding the threshold current. The distinct pulse frequencies per second include at least one pulse frequency greater than the cut-off frequency.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to pulsed-ultraviolet (PUV)devices and particularly relates to a performance improvement unit forPUV devices.

BACKGROUND

PUV devices are well-known in the modern cleaning industry and aresteadily being adopted as an everyday tool for surface disinfection.Among other applications, a PUV device is employed to disinfect largeareas such as rooms, halls, and corridors, and typically includes acircuit breaker for electrical safety and a UV lamp that emits PUV lightfor a predefined disinfection cycle or period. The circuit breakerinterrupts an input current to the PUV device and shuts down the UV lampif any electrical changes during operation increase the input currentbeyond a safe limit. Although such interruption safeguards against anypotential electrical hazard, the PUV device is forced to be run formultiple disinfection cycles or longer durations to achieve an intendeddisinfection, thereby yielding a substandard operational performance.

SUMMARY

Traditionally, various parameters of a PUV disinfection device (or “PUVdevice”) are adjusted to improve its operational performance, which isused in the present disclosure within the context of its broadestdefinition. One common approach to boost the operational performanceincludes increasing an applied voltage to a UV lamp of the PUV devicefor amplifying its UV output, e.g., intensity of UV light emittedtherefrom. Since the UV output is limited by a voltage rating of thelamp, such increase in the applied voltage requires an existing UV lampto be replaced with a new UV lamp having a relatively higher voltagerating. The new UV lamp with the higher voltage rating is generallyexpensive, adds to a replacement cost, and increases the manufacturingand/or operational costs of the PUV device.

Another typical approach includes a pulse frequency of the UV outputbeing increased to raise the UV intensity. Any increase in the pulsefrequency increases an applied power to the UV lamp per unit time, whichthen ramps up an input current to the PUV device often beyond a safelimit and trips an on-device circuit breaker for a given operatingvoltage of the UV lamp. As a result, the PUV device, or the UV lamp, isshutdown that disrupts a disinfection cycle, thereby leading to anineffective disinfection of a target area. The on-device circuit breakerhas to be reset to restart the disinfection cycle. Such unintendedtoggling of the PUV device, or the UV lamp, between the on and offstates extends a total time required to disinfect the target area,thereby magnifying operational costs and user inconvenience. Onetraditional remedy to such tripping is deploying, additionally oralternatively, a new on-device circuit breaker that has a higher currentrating, which often moots the purpose of a mains circuit breaker.Moreover, the new circuit breaker having the higher current rating isexpensive and increases a manufacturing cost of the PUV device.

Yet another traditional approach includes an applied current to the UVlamp being variably increased over a disinfection period to increase theUV output. However, any variation in the applied current requires theapplied voltage to the UV lamp being regulated to operate within safelimits of the input power thereto. Such need for simultaneous regulationof the applied voltage increases the operational complexity and signaldelay, thereby limiting any rise in the UV output by voltage and currentratings of the UV lamp. Other existing approaches include running thePUV device, or a disinfection cycle thereof, for longer periods toincrease an amount of UV light radiated on to the target area. However,such long-period operation of the PUV device increases the input currentto the PUV device and repeatedly trips the on-device circuit breaker todisrupt the disinfection cycle, thereby resulting in an ineffectivedisinfection of the target area.

It may therefore be beneficial to provide systems and methods thatimprove the operational performance of PUV devices without disrupting apredefined disinfection cycle for given voltage and current ratings ofthe UV lamp.

One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method forimproving a performance of a pulsed-ultraviolet (PUV) device. The methodmay include monitoring, using a pulse generator coupled to a processorand a memory, an input current across a circuit breaker in electricalcommunication with a UV lamp. The input current may be delivered by apower signal and interrupted by the circuit breaker upon exceeding apredefined cut-off current. The method may also include generating,using the pulse generator, a pulse signal having a set of one or morepulse frequencies based on the power signal for driving the UV lamp,where the pulse signal may be associated with a predetermined cut-offfrequency capable of increasing the input current beyond the predefinedcut-off current; determining, using the pulse generator, a predefinedthreshold current for the circuit breaker, where the predefinedthreshold current may be less than the cut-off current; and configuring,using the pulse generator, the generated pulse signal with multipledistinct pulse frequencies per second for a predefined configurationperiod based on the input current exceeding the predefined thresholdcurrent. The multiple distinct pulse frequencies per second may includeat least one pulse frequency being greater than the predeterminedcut-off frequency.

One aspect of the present disclosure includes the distinct pulsefrequencies per second further including at least one pulse frequencybeing less than the predetermined cut-off frequency.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes the predefined cut-offcurrent being relative to a preset current rating of the circuitbreaker.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes receiving a firstcontrol signal from a performance controller, where the first controlsignal may be configured to modulate one or more characteristics of apulse frequency in the set to create a buffer period per second withinthe predefined configuration period, provided the set includes a singlepulse frequency per second.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure includes the bufferperiod has zero pulse frequency.

A further aspect of the present disclosure includes receiving a secondcontrol signal from the performance controller, the second controlsignal being configured to drive the buffer period with a lowestfrequency in a predefined group of upper frequencies if the single pulsefrequency may be less than the predetermined cut-off frequency, wherethe predefined group of upper frequencies are greater than thepredetermined cut-off frequency.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes receiving a firstcontrol signal from a performance controller based on a number ofdistinct pulse frequencies per second in the set being greater than one,where the first control signal may be configured to—select a highestfrequency in the set, where the highest frequency may be greater thanthe predetermined cut-off frequency; and adjust the selected highestfrequency by a predefined factor to a safe upper frequency belonging toa predefined group of upper frequencies greater than the predeterminedcut-off frequency.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure includes receiving asecond control signal from the performance controller based on each ofthe distinct pulse frequencies per second in the set being less than thepredetermined cut-off frequency, where the second control signal may beconfigured to—select a lowest frequency in the set, where the lowestfrequency may be less than the predetermined cut-off frequency; andadjust the selected lowest frequency to a highest frequency in apredefined group of lower frequencies less than the predeterminedcut-off frequency.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure includes multiple distinctpulse frequencies per second ranging from 2 Hz to 50 Hz.

A further aspect of the present disclosure includes multiple distinctpulse frequencies per second including non-consecutive pulsefrequencies.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes a systemfor improving a performance of a pulsed-ultraviolet (PUV) device. Thesystem includes a UV lamp for generating PUV light, a power supplyproviding a power signal carrying an input current, a circuit breaker,and a pulse generator. The circuit breaker may be in electricalcommunication with the power supply. The circuit breaker may beconfigured to interrupt the input current applied thereto upon exceedinga predefined cut-off current. The pulse generator may be in electricalcommunication with the circuit breaker and the UV lamp, where the pulsegenerator may be configured to: monitor the input current across thecircuit breaker; generate a pulse signal having a set of one or morepulse frequencies based on the power signal for driving the UV lamp,where the pulse signal may be associated with a predetermined cut-offfrequency capable of increasing the input current beyond the predefinedcut-off current; determine a predefined threshold current for thecircuit breaker, where the predefined threshold current may be less thanthe cut-off current; and configure the generated pulse signal withmultiple distinct pulse frequencies per second for a predefinedconfiguration period based on the input current exceeding the predefinedthreshold current, where the plurality of distinct pulse frequencies persecond includes at least one pulse frequency being greater than thepredetermined cut-off frequency.

One aspect of the present disclosure includes improving an electricalperformance of the PUV device.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes improving adisinfection performance of the PUV device.

Yet another exemplary embodiment may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions forimproving a performance of a pulsed-ultraviolet (PUV) device. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium may include instructions formonitoring an input current across a circuit breaker in electricalcommunication with a UV lamp. The input current may be delivered by apower signal and interrupted by the circuit breaker upon exceeding apredefined cut-off current. The non-transitory computer readable mediummay also include instructions for generating a pulse signal having a setof one or more pulse frequencies based on the power signal for drivingthe UV lamp, where the pulse signal may be associated with apredetermined cut-off frequency capable of increasing the input currentbeyond the predefined cut-off current; determining a predefinedthreshold current for the circuit breaker, where the predefinedthreshold current may be less than the cut-off current; and configuringthe generated pulse signal with multiple distinct pulse frequencies persecond for a predefined configuration period based on the input currentexceeding the predefined threshold current. The multiple distinct pulsefrequencies per second may include at least one pulse frequency beinggreater than the predetermined cut-off frequency.

The above summary of exemplary embodiments is not intended to describeeach disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the presentdisclosure. Other and further aspects and features of the disclosurewill be evident from reading the following detailed description of theembodiments, which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the presentdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals throughout. The following description isintended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selectedembodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent withthe subject matter as claimed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a PUV device including an exemplary performanceimprovement unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic of a PUV system including theperformance improvement unit of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for implementingthe performance improvement unit of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4B, 5A-5C, 6A-6C, and 7A-7B are typical graphs of test resultsindicating voltages and currents across a circuit breaker of the PUVdevice of FIG. 2 upon being driven by a pulsed signal at different fixedfrequencies.

FIGS. 8A-8C and 9A-9C are exemplary graphs of test results illustratingvoltages and currents across the circuit breaker of the PUV device ofFIG. 2 upon being regulated by the performance improvement unit of FIG.1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 10A-10B are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary methodimplemented by the performance improvement unit of FIG. 1 for providingone or more control signals to configure a pulse signal with compoundfrequencies driving the PUV device of FIG. 1 according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided with reference to thefigures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate thedisclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize number of equivalentvariations in the description that follows without departing from thescope and spirit of the disclosure.

Non-Limiting Definitions

Definitions of one or more terms that will be used in this disclosureare described below without limitations. For a person skilled in theart, it is understood that the definitions are provided just for thesake of clarity and are intended to include more examples than justprovided below.

“Disinfection” is used in the present disclosure within the context ofits broadest definition. The disinfection may refer to any process ortechnique of inactivating or killing contaminants including cancerouscells, tumorous tissues, and/or pathogens on a target surface using theUV light alone or in combination with a variety of biocompatible agentsknown in the art, related art, or developed later including, but notlimited to, chemical agents (e.g., alcohols, oxidizing agents, naturallyoccurring or modified compounds, etc.), physical agents (e.g., heat,pressure, vibration, sound, radiation, plasma, electricity, etc.), andbiological agents (e.g., living organisms, plants or plant products,organic residues, etc.).

A “pulsed-ultraviolet (PUV) disinfection device” or “PUV device” is usedin the present disclosure within the context of its broadest definition.The PUV device may refer to a standalone or a networked electronic orelectromechanical device capable of providing pulses of UV light of apredetermined energy within a germicidal wavelength range of theelectromagnetic spectrum for disinfection.

“Current Rating” is used in the present disclosure within the context ofits broadest definition. The current rating may refer to a maximumcurrent that a device, or a circuit therewith, can carry for a setperiod before manipulating or interrupting a current flow therethrough,or becoming unfunctional, under predefined operating conditionsincluding, but not limited to, temperature and resistance of the device,or any component or circuit electrically or magnetically coupledthereto.

“Voltage Rating” is used in the present disclosure within the context ofits broadest definition. The voltage rating may refer to a maximumvoltage that a device, or a component or circuit therewith, can bearbefore failing to perform a designated or intended function underpredefined operating conditions including, but not limited to,temperature, resistance, and current through the device, the component,or a circuit being electrically or magnetically coupled thereto.

“Cut-off current” is used in the present disclosure within the contextof its broadest definition. The cut-off current may refer to a value ofinput current being substantially restricted, or negligibly conducted,through a component, or a circuit coupled therewith. In someembodiments, the cut-off current may include or depend on the currentrating of a device, e.g., a circuit breaker.

“Operational performance,” or any aspects thereof, is used in thepresent disclosure within the context of its broadest definition. Theoperational performance may refer to an ability of a device toincessantly provide a set amount of intended output or result for apredefined duration. In one example, the operational performance of thePUV device may refer to its ability to incessantly provide a set amountof germicidal light for a predefined duration sufficient to disinfect aset of one or more target surfaces. In some embodiments, the operationalperformance may be defined in terms of an electrical performance and/ordisinfection performance of the PUV device.

“Electrical performance,” or any aspects thereof, is used in the presentdisclosure within the context of its broadest definition. The electricalperformance may refer to an ability of the PUV device to withstandchanges in electrical parameters (e.g., current, voltage, etc.) duringoperation for a predefined duration.

“Disinfection performance,” or any aspects thereof, is used in thepresent disclosure within the context of its broadest definition. Thedisinfection performance may refer to an ability of the PUV device todisinfect a set of one or more target surfaces within a predefinedduration.

Exemplary Embodiments

FIG. 1 illustrates a PUV device 100 including an exemplary performanceimprovement unit 130 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Embodiments and concepts disclosed herein are described inthe context of a room or area disinfection device; however, one havingordinary skill in the art would understand that such embodiments andothers may be implemented with any suitable electrical, electronic, orelectromechanical systems, devices, or components capable of generatingpulses of energy for various purposes including, but not limited to,disinfection, communication, signal processing, and data storage.

The PUV device 100 of the present disclosure may represent a widevariety of devices configured to emit or facilitate emission ofpulsed-UV light of a predetermined energy within a germicidal wavelengthrange (e.g., 100 nm to 400 nm, 180 nm to 350 nm, 100 nm to 1000 nm,etc.) of the electromagnetic spectrum. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1 , the PUV device 100 may be configured as a room or areadisinfection device including a UV lamp 120 configured to emit PUV lighthaving predetermined characteristics (e.g., intensity, frequency, power,wavelength, etc.) suitable to disinfect a target surface in a shortperiod (e.g., approximately 10 minutes or less) from a relatively longdistance (e.g., at least approximately 1 meter or more from the targetsurface). The UV lamp 120 may be of any suitable type known in the art,related art, or developed later including a mercury-vapour UV lamp, aXenon UV lamp, and so on. The UV lamp 120 may be a pulsed radiationsource, a continuous radiation source, or a set of both the pulsedradiation and the continuous radiation sources. The pulsed radiationsource may be configured for emitting pulses of UV light within apredefined or dynamically defined germicidal wavelength range. Thepulsed radiation source may be configured to have a pulse frequency,pulse width, pulse duration, or duty cycle that may cause the emittedPUV light to appear as continuous to a human eye. On the other hand, thecontinuous radiation source may be configured for being turned on andoff at a predetermined frequency to emit pulses of UV light. In someembodiments, the UV lamp 120 may be configured for being flexible anddiverge or converge the emitted PUV light. In some other embodiments,the UV lamp 120 may be coupled physically or wirelessly to the PUVdevice 100 or any portion thereof. Other embodiments may include the UVlamp 120 being a set of one or more UV lamps.

Embodiments of the PUV device 100, or a portion thereof (e.g., a UV unitor assembly), may be configured as a fixed, mobile, or handheld unitincluding one or more types of light sources such as a visible lightsource and an infrared light source. Some embodiments may include thePUV device 100 or any portions thereof being automated or configured tomove, navigate, and/or operate autonomously. These portions may includethe entire PUV device 100 or its sub-portions including, but not limitedto, a lamp assembly, a support assembly, a remote unit, a control unit,a set of actuators or mobility devices, utility pods, one or morecooling systems, and a power unit. Such portions may be configured tomove (e.g., pan, swivel, rotate, tilt, oscillate, pivot, extend, etc.)or navigate independently or relative to another portion, a component,an axis/plane of the PUV device 100, an object proximate to the PUVdevice 100, or a stimulus. Some other embodiments may include the PUVdevice 100 being configured to operate independently or in communicationwith a set of one or more devices including, but not limited to, (i)sensors (e.g., motion sensors or proximity sensors; temperature sensors;light sensors such as infrared sensors, UV sensors, and visible-lightsensors; sound sensors such as ultrasonic sensors; vibration sensors;pathogen detection sensors; pathogen identification sensors; altimeter;pedometer; magnetometer; ozone sensors; smoke sensors; electricalparameter sensors such as voltage sensors, current sensors, powersensors, dose/dosage sensors, and intensity sensors, etc.), (ii) remotecontrol devices (e.g., wired or wireless devices, portable or fixeddevices, dedicated or smart devices, generic or application-specificdevices, scanners or readers, servers or client devices, automated ornon-automated, machine-controlled or user-controlled devices, single-useor multi-use devices, etc.), (iii) another disinfection apparatus (e.g.,a light-based disinfection apparatus, a chemical disinfection apparatus,a sound or vibration-based disinfection apparatus, liquid orvapour-based disinfection apparatus, etc.), (iv) autonomous andnon-autonomous devices, (v) robotic or non-robotic devices, and/or anycomponents (including implementing or supporting computer programs)connected or supported therewith.

Other embodiments may include the PUV device 100 having video, voice, ordata communication capabilities (e.g., unified communicationcapabilities) either independently or in communication with one or morenetwork devices by being coupled to or including, various imagingdevices (e.g., cameras, printers, scanners, medical imaging systems,etc.), various audio devices (e.g., microphones, music players,recorders, audio input devices, speakers, audio output devices,telephones, speaker telephones, etc.), various video devices (e.g.,monitors, projectors, displays, televisions, video output devices, videoinput devices, camcorders, etc.), or any other type of hardware, in anycombination thereof. The PUV device 100 may comprise or implement one ormore real time protocols (e.g., session initiation protocol (SIP),H.261, H.263, H.264, H.323, etc.) and non-real-time protocols known inthe art, related art, or developed later to facilitate data transfer toand from the network device. The PUV device 100 may also include avariety of known, related art, or later developed interface(s),including software interfaces (e.g., an application programminginterface, a graphical user interface, etc.); hardware interfaces (e.g.,cable connectors, a keyboard, a card reader, a barcode reader, abiometric scanner, an interactive display screen, a printer, sensors,etc.); or both. The interface(s) may facilitate communication over anetwork (not shown) between various components or network devicescoupled to the PUV device 100.

When room or large area UV disinfection is desired, an operator maydevoid human occupancy in the designated area where the disinfection isto be performed prior to activating the PUV device 100 to avoid healthhazards due to the PUV light emitted by the UV lamp 120. The PUV device100 may be activated for a predefined or dynamically defined period(hereinafter also referred to as a disinfection cycle) and may beinterrupted either on-demand by the operator or based on preset ordynamically set conditions such as those indicated by various sensors(e.g., motion/vibration sensors, occupancy/proximity sensors, ozonesensors, temperature sensors, smoke sensors, pathogen level detectionsensors, etc.) in communication with the PUV device 100. Examples ofthese conditions may include, but not limited to, motion detection inthe proximity of the PUV device 100 or by remote sensors communicatingtherewith, temperature of a radiation source such as the UV lamp 120above a predefined threshold, an accumulation of ozone above apredefined threshold, and so on.

In one exemplary embodiment, the PUV device 100 may include aperformance improvement unit 130 configured to, at least one of, (1)generate a pulsed-output signal 212 comprising of one or more triggerpulses (e.g., voltage pulses, current pulses, etc.) for driving acomponent/device such as the UV lamp 120; (2) provide the pulsed-outputsignal 212 at a constant voltage relative to an operating voltage ofsuch component/device; (3) manipulate an input current across the PUVdevice 100, or a component thereof (e.g., a circuit breaker 204,discussed below in detail) based on one or more characteristics (e.g.,frequency, pulse width, pulse duration, duty cycle, time period, etc.)of the pulsed-output signal 212; (4) configure the pulsed-output signal212 to adjust the input current for being below a cut-off input current(or cut-off current) associated with the circuit breaker 204; (5)modulate one or more of the characteristics for driving thepulsed-output signal 212 with at least two distinct pulse frequenciesper second (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as compoundfrequencies) for a predefined or dynamically defined operational period(e.g., disinfection cycle); (6) select or adjust at least one frequencyin the compound frequencies for being greater than a predefined cut-offfrequency associated with the pulsed-output signal 212, where thecut-off frequency may correspond to the cut-off current that may trip ordeactivate the circuit breaker 204 and in turn shut down thecomponent/device (e.g., the UV lamp 120) driven by the pulsed-outputsignal 212; (7) select or adjust at least one frequency in the compoundfrequencies for being less than the cut-off frequency of thepulsed-output signal 212; (8) drive the pulsed-output signal 212 withthe compound frequencies including a first frequency being greater thanor equal to the cut-off frequency and a second frequency being less thanthe cut-off frequency; (9) manipulate an intensity of PUV lightgenerated by the UV lamp 120 upon being driven by the pulsed-outputsignal 212 at the compound frequencies; and (10) prevent or delayturning-off the PUV device 100, or the UV lamp 120 connected thereto,while increasing the intensity of PUV light generated therefrom.

The performance improvement unit 130 may be implemented as a standaloneand dedicated device including hardware and installed software, wherethe hardware may be closely matched to the requirements and/orfunctionality of the software; however, in some embodiments, theperformance improvement unit 130 may be implemented as a combination ofmultiple devices that are operatively connected or networked together.In some other embodiments, the performance improvement unit 130 may be ahardware device including processor(s) executing machine readableprogram instructions, which may be stored on a computer readable medium,and installed or embedded in an appropriate device for execution.Generally, the computer or machine executable instructions may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures,modules, functions, and the like that may perform particular functionsor implement particular abstract data types.

The processor(s) may include, for example, microprocessors,microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, centralprocessing units, state machines, logic circuits, and/or any devicesthat manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among othercapabilities, the processor(s) may be configured to fetch and executecomputer readable instructions in a dedicated or shared memoryassociated with the performance improvement unit 130 for performingtasks such as signal coding or encoding, signal or data processing,input/output processing, voltage, current, or power control, and/orother functions. The “hardware” may comprise a combination of discretecomponents, an integrated circuit, an application-specific integratedcircuit, a field programmable gate array, a digital signal processor, orother suitable hardware. The “software” may comprise one or moreobjects, agents, threads, lines of code, subroutines, separate softwareapplications, two or more lines of code or other suitable softwarestructures operating in one or more software applications or on one ormore processors.

In one or more embodiments, the performance improvement unit 130 mayinclude a telemetry circuit to communicate with any of a variety ofcomputing devices (e.g., a desktop PC, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a server, a mainframe computer, a mobile computing device (e.g.,mobile phones, laptops, etc.), an internet appliance, etc.). In someother embodiments, the performance improvement unit 130 may operate,cease to operate, or perform any predefined alternate function, inresponse to a portable device or a wearable device including, but notlimited to, a fashion accessory (e.g., a wrist band, a ring, etc.), autility device (e.g., a hand-held carry-case, a pen or stylus, a bodymonitor, a timing device, etc.), a body clothing, or any combinationsthereof. In some embodiments, the performance improvement unit 130 mayenhance or increase the functionality and/or capacity of the network towhich it may be connected. The performance improvement unit 130 of someembodiments may include software, firmware, or other resources thatsupport remote administration, operation, and/or maintenance of the PUVdevice 100.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic of a PUV system including theperformance improvement unit 130 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure. Embodiments of the PUV system 200 may includefewer, more, or different components in a variety of configurationsincluding those disclosed herein. A skilled artisan would understandthat these components may communicate in a cohesive or distributedmanner or may be disposed on one or more carriers such as circuit boardsand integrated circuits in communication with the performanceimprovement unit 130.

In one embodiment, the PUV system 200 may include a power supply 202 inelectrical communication with the PUV device 100 including theperformance improvement unit 130. The power supply 202 may include anytype of suitable voltage source known in the art, related art, ordeveloped later including a primary battery, a rechargeable or secondarybattery, or the mains power supply 202 suitable or configurable toelectrically power the PUV device 100. Examples of the power supply 202may include, but not limited to, metal-based or mineral-based batteries,super capacitors, nuclear or atomic batteries, mechanical resonators,infrared collectors, thermally-powered energy sources, flexural-poweredenergy sources, bioenergy power sources, fuel cells, bioelectric cells,and osmotic pressure pumps, or any combinations thereof.

In one or more embodiments, the power supply 202 may supply ahigh-voltage or an alternating current (AC) power signal to the PUVdevice 100 for operation. The power supply 202 may be electricallycoupled to the PUV device 100 either physically or wirelessly using anyof a variety of mechanisms known in the art. For example, the powersupply 202 may be a battery being supported with the PUV device 100. Inanother example, the power supply 202 may include a capacitor bankoperatively coupled to the PUV device 100. The capacitor bank may bepowered by another power source, e.g., a mains power supply or abattery. In yet another example, the power supply 202 may include adistributed power system including a charging coil and a power coilconfigured for being inductively coupled thereto. The charging coil maybe electrically coupled to a power source such as a mains power supply202 or a battery, and positioned outside the PUV device 100. The powercoil may be configured to inductively receive electromagnetic power fromthe charging coil based on the power coil being arranged within acoverage area of the charging coil and/or at a predefined angle ororientation therewith. One having ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand various components and aspects thereof to implement thedistributed power system. Examples of these aspects may include, but arenot limited to, (i) respective coverage areas, quality factors, andcoupling coefficients of the coils, (ii) an intended range of charging,(iii) an angle, orientation, and/or distance between the coils, and (iv)a resonant frequency of the coils. Further, the power supply 202 mayapply a set voltage (e.g., 110V) to the PUV device 100. In someembodiments, the power supply 202 or aspects thereof may be positionedon the PUV device 100.

In one embodiment, the PUV device 100 may include a circuit breaker 204,a power management unit 206, the UV lamp 120, and the performanceimprovement unit 130. However, in some embodiments, the PUV device 100may additionally include a power adaptor (not shown) configured to adaptthe voltage (e.g., 110 V) provided by the power supply 202 to adifferent voltage configuration (e.g., 220 V) depending on a loadcomplexity and/or circuit compatibility of the PUV device 100.

The circuit breaker 204 may operate as an electrical gateway between thepower supply 202 and the PUV device 100, or any particular portionsthereof. The circuit breaker 204 may include any suitable electricalswitching device configured to interrupt an input current therethroughrelative to a cut-off current defining a safe current limit for the PUVdevice 100. The cut-off current may be defined relative to a presetcurrent rating of the circuit breaker 204 depending on a configurationthereof. For example, a resettable, multiuse circuit breaker 204 may beconfigured with a cut-off current being less than the preset currentrating. Another example may include a single-use circuit breaker 204configured with a cut-off current being equal to the preset currentrating thereof. In one embodiment, the circuit breaker 204 may regulatea flow of power signal delivering the input current, e.g., from thepower supply 202, to the PUV device 100, or any components or blocksthereof. The circuit breaker 204 may trip or deactivate to interrupt thepower signal based on the input current across the circuit breaker 204becoming unsafe “overcurrent” by reaching or exceeding the cut-offcurrent. A skilled artisan would understand to implement any suitabletype of circuit breaker 204 known in the art, related art, or developedlater depending on an installation location, a design, an interruptingmechanism, a voltage applied across the circuit breaker 204, or anyother aspects thereof. Examples of these aspects include, but are notlimited to, single-use or resettable/multiuse configurations, automaticand/or manual operability, arrangement and number of active elements(e.g., transistors, diodes, integrated circuits, etc.) and/or passiveelements (e.g., resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.), and temperatureand/or current sensitivity.

The circuit breaker 204 may be adapted to operate in tandem orcommunicate with any suitable component of the PUV device 100. In oneembodiment, as illustrated, the circuit breaker 204 may be coupled withthe power management unit 206 of the PUV device 100. The powermanagement unit 206 may be configured to manipulate electrical aspects(e.g., voltage level, current level, signal conversion, etc.) of thepower signal received through the circuit breaker 204 before beingapplied to different electrical components of the PUV device 100. Forexample, the power management unit 206 may include a rectifier (notshown) to convert an alternating current (AC) power signal received fromthe power supply 202 via the circuit breaker 204 to a direct current(DC) power signal. The rectifier may be configured as a half-wave,full-wave, single phase, multi-phase, or any other suitableconfiguration known in the art, related art, or developed laterdepending on a component being fed with the power signal. In someembodiments, the DC power signal may have a voltage level same as thatof the corresponding AC power signal; however, one having skill in theart would understand that a voltage of the DC power signal may differfrom that of the corresponding AC power signal depending on theelectrical component being driven. In another example, the powermanagement unit 206 may additionally include a voltage transformer (notshown) configured to adjust a voltage of the power signal to an outputvoltage relative to an operating voltage of an intended component of thePUV device 100. The voltage transformer may have any suitableconfigurations known in the art, related art, or developed laterincluding, but not limited to, a step-up voltage transformer, astep-down voltage transformer, or a combination thereof. For instance,the voltage transformer may increase an input voltage of the powersignal to an output voltage compliant with the operating voltage topower the UV lamp 120. In another instance, the voltage transformer maydrive the power signal with an output voltage sufficient to trigger theUV lamp 120 for a PUV operation. The power signal having the outputvoltage, or an adjusted voltage, may be fed forward for driving theperformance improvement unit 130.

The performance improvement unit 130 may be configured to generate apulsed-output signal 212 for driving an intended component such as theUV lamp 120. The performance improvement unit 130 may include a pulsegenerator 208 and a performance controller 210, one or each of those maybe coupled to a processor(s) and a computer memory. The pulse generator208 may be configured to generate the pulsed-output signal 212 fordriving the UV lamp 120 to emit PUV light having predefinedcharacteristics (e.g., energy, power, wavelength, frequency, etc.)according to an intended application, and a distance between the UV lamp120 and a target surface. For example, the pulsed-output signal 212 maydrive the UV lamp 120 to emit 10 to 1500 Joules of energy per pulse ofUV light within a predefined frequency range from 1-50 Hz for a distanceof approximately 1 to approximately 3 meters between the UV lamp 120 anda target surface for disinfection; however, a skilled artisan maycontemplate other suitable frequency ranges including, but not limitedto, 1 Hz to 50 Hz, 10 Hz to 28 Hz, 10 Hz to 40 Hz, 20 Hz to 50 Hz, and15 Hz to 40 Hz. Other suitable characteristics may be contemplated foreffective disinfection at greater distances from the target surface. Askilled artisan would understand other aspects (e.g., operationalperiod, temperature, etc.) of the pulse generator 208 to drive the UVlamp 120 for intended applications including, but not limited to,disinfection, communication, signal processing, and data storage.

The pulse generator 208 may be configured to trigger or drive a UV lampsuch as the UV lamp 120 with the pulsed-output signal 212 having apredefined number of pulses per second, i.e., pulse frequency. Thenumber of pulses applied per second to the UV lamp 120 may be increasedto improve a UV output of the UV lamp 120 and hence, the disinfectionperformance. However, an increase in the number of pulses per second orthe pulse frequency, in general, also increases the input currentapplied across the PUV device 100, particularly the circuit breaker 204.The relationship between the pulse frequency and the input current canbe understood based on an input power provided by the power signalreceived from the power supply 202 via the circuit breaker 204 and anoutput power delivered by the pulsed-output signal 212 generated by thepulse generator 208.

During operation, the power supply 202 may provide the power signal at apreset supply voltage (e.g., 110V) to the PUV device 100 via the circuitbreaker 204. The power signal may deliver the input current across thecircuit breaker 204 and pass therethrough to the power management unit206. The input power delivered by the power signal across the circuitbreaker 204, and the PUV device 100, may be represented by Equation 1.P _(in) =V _(in) ·I _(in)  (1)where: P_(in)=Input power provided by the power signal received from thepower supply

-   -   V_(in)=Input voltage applied across the circuit breaker by the        power signal    -   I_(in)=Input current applied across the circuit breaker by the        power signal

The power management unit 206 may adjust a voltage of the received powersignal based on a component of the PUV device 100 to be driven by thepower signal. For example, the power management unit 206 may adjust thevoltage of the power signal to generate an adjusted power signal at aconstant voltage (e.g., 2000V) compliant with an operating voltage ofthe UV lamp 120. The voltage-adjusted power signal may be received bythe pulse generator 208, which may include a set of capacitors (notshown). The adjusted power signal may charge the capacitors that maydischarge to generate one or more pulses of energy, which may bedelivered as the pulsed-output signal 212. Each energy pulse of thepulsed-output signal 212 within an operational period (e.g., adisinfection cycle) may deliver an output power represented by Equation2. The number of pulses generated per second, or a portion thereof, maydefine a pulse frequency associated with the pulsed-output signal 212,as represented by Equation 3.

$\begin{matrix}{P_{out} = \frac{E_{o}}{T_{o}}} & (2)\end{matrix}$where: P_(o)=Output power delivered by the pulsed-output signal

-   -   E_(o)=Energy delivered by the pulsed-output signal, where        E_(o)=½·C·V_(o) ²    -   C=Total capacitance of all capacitors associated with the pulse        generator    -   T_(o)=Operational period for which the energy E_(o) is delivered

$\begin{matrix}{F_{o} = \frac{1}{T_{o}}} & (3)\end{matrix}$where: F_(o)=Pulse frequency or no. of pulses per second of thepulsed-output signal generated during the operational period T_(o)

Based on Equations 2 and 3, the output power of pulsed-output signal 212may be a factor of the pulse frequency thereof, represented in Equation4.P _(out) =E _(o) ·F _(o)  (4)

Since a set of one or more capacitors in the pulse generator 208 may becharged by the power signal, the output power delivered by thepulsed-output signal 212 may be proportional to an input power providedby the power signal, as represented in Equation (5).

$\begin{matrix} \Rightarrow{P_{in} \propto P_{o}}  & (5) \\ \Rightarrow{{V_{in} \cdot I_{in}} \propto {E_{o} \cdot F_{o}}}  & (6) \\ \Rightarrow{{V_{in} \cdot I_{in}} \propto {\frac{1}{2} \cdot C \cdot V_{o}^{2} \cdot F_{o}}}  & (7) \\ \Rightarrow{I_{in} \propto F_{o}}  & (8)\end{matrix}$

Based on Equations 5-8, the input current I_(in) may be directlyproportional to the pulse frequency F_(o) of pulsed-output signal 212.Any increase in the pulse frequency F_(o) may cause an increase in theinput current I_(in) across the circuit breaker 204. The pulse frequencyF_(o) that may cause the input current I_(in) to exceed the cut-offcurrent and trip the circuit breaker 204, may be referred to as thecut-off frequency F_(cut). For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, whichillustrate graphs of test results indicating voltages and currentsacross the circuit breaker 204 upon being driven by the pulsed-outputsignal 212 at a fixed or set frequency of 29 Hz. The FIGS. 4A-4Bindicate the voltage and current changes caused across the circuitbreaker 204 by the pulsed-output signal 212 at 29 Hz for operationaldurations of 5 minutes and 10 minutes respectively.

In FIGS. 4A-4B, electrical parameter values are indicated along they-axis and the operational durations are indicated along the x-axis. Thegraphs also include a curve X (red lines) and a curve Y (blue lines)indicating the input current and the voltage across the circuit breaker204 respectively during a predefined operational period. The currentvalues for the curve X are indicated on the left y-axis and the voltagevalues for the curve Y are indicated on the right y-axis.

At an outset of the operational duration of 5 minutes, the FIG. 4Aindicates that at point I, the voltage across the circuit breaker 204averages at 138V, which is indicative of a supply voltage of 118V with avoltage correction factor of 20V during operation. At the same instant,at point II, the input current across the circuit breaker 204 averagesat less than 3 Amp, which is indicative of an applied current of lessthan 1 Amp with a current correction factor of 15 Amp. During operation,the voltage drops and averages at 135V, which is indicative of 115V withthe voltage correction factor. However, the current increases andaverages at 17 Amp, which is indicative of 2 Amp with the currentcorrection factor. The rise and fall in the curves X and Y are due tocharging and discharging of capacitors in the pulse generator 208 togenerate the pulsed-output signal 212 which may affect the input currentacross the circuit breaker 204 based on the above Equation 8. At the endof the operational period of 5 minutes, the pulse generator 208 stopsgenerating the pulsed-output signal 212 for driving the UV lamp 120. Asa result, the voltage (indicated by curve Y) across the circuit breaker204 goes back to average at 138V, indicative of a supply voltage of 118V(with the voltage correction factor) across the circuit breaker 204 atpoint III. Similarly, the current (indicated by curve X) drops back tobeing less than 3 Amp, which is indicative of an applied current of lessthan 1 Amp (with the current correction factor) at point IV. Since thevoltage and current go back to the starting levels only after the end ofthe operational duration, it may indicate that the pulse generator 208generates the pulsed-output signal 212 at the set frequency of 29 Hz tosuccessfully drive the UV lamp 120 for 5 minutes without tripping thecircuit breaker 204.

On the other hand, the FIG. 4B indicates that the voltage (indicated bycurve Y) averages at 118V (at point I) and the current (indicated bycurve X) averages being less than 1 Amp (at point II) with therespective correction factors at the outset of the operational period of10 minutes. However, both the voltage (indicated by curve Y) and thecurrent (indicated by curve X) drop unexpectedly before the end of theoperational period. As shown, before the end of 10 minutes, the voltagedrops to near-zero volts and the input current drops to less than 1 Amp(at point T) with the respective correction factors. Such unexpecteddrop in the voltage and current before the end of 10 minutes indicatesthat the circuit breaker 204 being tripped. Therefore, the FIGS. 4A-4Bestablish that 29 Hz may be the cut-off frequency associated with thepulsed-output signal 212 for driving the cut-off current across thecircuit breaker 204 during operation.

It may also be noted that pulsed-output signal 212 operated at anyfrequency greater than the cut-off frequency may continue to trip thecircuit breaker 204. This is established in FIGS. 5A-5C and 6A-6C whichillustrate graphs of test results indicating voltages and currentsacross the circuit breaker 204 upon being driven by the pulsed signal ata fixed or set frequency of 30 Hz and 33 Hz respectively. Particularly,the FIGS. 5A-5C indicate the voltage and current changes caused acrossthe circuit breaker 204 by the pulsed-output signal 212 at 30 Hz foroperational durations of 3 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutesrespectively. FIGS. 6A-6C indicate the voltage and current changescaused across the circuit breaker 204 by the pulsed-output signal 212 at33 Hz for operational durations of 3 minutes, 5 minutes and 10 minutesrespectively.

In FIGS. 5A-5C and 6A-6C, electrical parameter values are indicatedalong the y-axis and the operational durations are indicated along thex-axis. The graphs also show the curve X (red lines) and the curve Y(blue lines) indicating the input current and the voltage across thecircuit breaker 204 respectively during respective predefinedoperational periods. The current values for the curve X are indicated onthe left y-axis and the voltage values for the curve Y are indicated onthe right y-axis.

As shown in FIGS. 5B-5C, similar to FIG. 4B, both the voltage (indicatedby curve Y) and the current (indicated by curve X) drop unexpectedlybefore the end of respective operational periods. As shown, in FIGS.5A-5C, the voltage (indicated by curve Y) drops to near-zero volts andthe input current (indicated by curve X) drops to less than 1 Amp (atpoint T) with the respective correction factors 20V and 15 Amp beforethe end of 5 minutes and 10 minutes respectively. Such unexpected dropsin the voltage and current before the end of operational periodsdegraded as compared to the pulsed-output signal 212 at the cut-offfrequency of 29 Hz, and indicate the circuit breaker 204 being trippedeven for a shorter duration of 5 minutes. Similarly, in FIGS. 6A-6C, thevoltage (indicated by curve Y) drops to near-zero volts and the inputcurrent (indicated by curve X) also drops to less than 1 Amp (at pointT) with the respective correction factors of 20V and 15 Amps before theend of 3 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes respectively. Suchunexpected drops in the voltage and current before the end ofoperational periods worsened as compared to the pulsed-output signal 212at the frequencies of 29 Hz and 30 Hz, and indicate the circuit breaker204 being tripped for a further short duration of 3 minutes.

In one embodiment, the pulse generator 208 may be configured to, atleast one of, (1) generate the pulsed-output signal 212 using the powersignal received from the power management unit 206 via the circuitbreaker 204, where the generated pulsed-output signal 212 may includeone or more trigger pulses for driving a component of the PUV device 100such as the UV lamp 120; (2) provide the pulsed-output signal 212 at aconstant voltage being relative to an operating voltage of a componentof PUV device 100 such as the UV lamp 120; (3) configure thepulsed-output signal 212 based on one or more control signals from theperformance controller 210 to manipulate the input current across thecircuit breaker 204 for being below the cut-off current and prevent thecircuit breaker 204 from being tripped or deactivated; and (4)manipulate an intensity of PUV light generated by the UV lamp 120 uponbeing driven by the configured pulsed-output signal 212. In someembodiments, the constant voltage of the pulsed-output signal 212 may beadjusted by the pulse generator 208 to drive different types of UVsources (e.g., a low or high voltage UV lamps, a light emitting diode(LED), etc.). In some other embodiments, the pulse generator 208 maycondition the pulsed-output signal 212 before being applied to a UVsource such as the UV lamp 120. For example, the pulse generator 208 maycondition the pulsed-output signal 212 to have one or more pulses with adesired shape such as square, rectangular, triangular, spikes, and soon. A skilled artisan would be able to contemplate any other suitableconditioning attributes of the pulsed-output signal 212 for beingmodified prior to driving a component such as the UV lamp 120.

The pulse generator 208 may be in signal communication with theperformance controller 210, which may be configured to enable aninterruption-free operation of the PUV device 100 while improving theperformance thereof. The performance controller 210 may control one ormore predefined or dynamically defined functions or aspects of the pulsegenerator 208. In one embodiment, the performance controller 210 may beconfigured to, at least one of, (1) define a threshold current beingrelatively less than the cut-off current of the circuit breaker 204 toprovide a control signal; (2) determine a predetermined cut-offfrequency of the pulsed-output signal 212 that increases a drawn inputcurrent to exceed the cut-off current and trip the circuit breaker 204;(3) provide one or more control signals to modulate one or morecharacteristics of the pulsed-output signal 212 for being driven with atleast two distinct pulse frequencies per second (or compoundfrequencies) for a predefined or dynamically defined period(“operational period”); (4) determine at least one frequency for thecompound frequencies from a predefined group of upper frequenciesgreater than the predetermined cut-off frequency associated with thepulsed-output signal 212; (5) determine at least one frequency for thecompound frequencies from a predefined group of lower frequencies lessthan the predetermined cut-off frequency associated with thepulsed-output signal 212; (6) determine a predefined or dynamicallydefined operational period for which the one or more characteristics maybe modulated for driving the pulsed-output signal 212 with the compoundfrequencies; (7) adjust or vary a combination of frequencies in thecompound frequencies for maximizing an intensity of the UV light whilepreventing the circuit breaker 204 from being tripped based on the inputcurrent being manipulated to be less than the cut-off current; and (8)communicate the determined compound frequencies to the pulse generator208 based on the one or more control signals.

In one embodiment, the performance controller 210 may be configured forcontrolling the pulse generator 208 to generate the pulsed-output signal212 at compound frequencies for a predefined or dynamically definedoperational period (e.g., disinfection cycle) and prevent the PUV device100 being unintentionally interrupted during operation. The operationalperiod may vary depending on an intended application (e.g., surfacedisinfection) of the PUV device 100 or the UV lamp 120 connectedthereto. The compound frequencies may improve the electrical anddisinfection performance of the PUV device 100 and prevent the circuitbreaker 204 from being tripped due to the overcurrent.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for implementingthe performance improvement unit 130 of FIG. 1 according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. The order in which the method 300is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and anynumber of the described method blocks may be combined, deleted, orotherwise performed in any order to implement the method 300 or analternate method without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure. The exemplary method 300 may be described in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions, which may be storedon a computer readable medium, and installed or embedded in anappropriate device for execution. Further, the method 300 may beimplemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combinationthereof, that exists in the related art or that is later developed.

In one embodiment, the method 300 may be implemented by the pulsegenerator 208. However, one having ordinary skill in the art wouldunderstand that aspects of the method 300 may be performed on theperformance controller 210. At step 302, an input current across thecircuit breaker 204 may be monitored. In one embodiment, the pulsegenerator 208 may monitor the input current across the circuit breaker204 having a preset current rating. The circuit breaker 204 may beconfigured to interrupt the input current upon exceeding a cut-offcurrent being relative to the preset current rating. The input currentmay be monitored using a variety of techniques known in the art, relatedart, or developed later. For example, the PUV device 100 may include acurrent sensor (not shown) electrically coupled to the circuit breaker204 and the pulse generator 208. Upon being switched on or beingactively coupled to the power supply 202, the PUV device 100 mayinitiate the current sensor in communication with the pulse generator208 to assess the input current across the circuit breaker 204. Thecurrent sensor may provide a measure of input current delivered by thepower signal across the circuit breaker 204. However, in someembodiments, the pulse generator 208 may directly monitor the inputcurrent by virtue of being electrically coupled to the circuit breaker204.

In embodiments including a distributed arrangement for the PUV device100, the pulse generator 208 may include a different configuration tomonitor the input current across the circuit breaker 204. For example,the circuit breaker 204 and the power management unit 206 may be locatedon a first device wirelessly coupled with a second device including theperformance improvement unit 130 and the UV lamp 120. The first devicemay be configured to wirelessly power the second device, e.g., throughinductive coupling. In such scenario, the pulse generator 208 on thesecond device may wirelessly sense the input current across the circuitbreaker 204 in the first device from the current sensor over a network.For example, the first device may include the current sensor and arespective module (not shown), which may enable the current sensorand/or the first device being introduced to a network appliance, therebyenabling the network appliance to invoke the current sensor and/or thefirst device as a service. Examples of the network appliance include,but are not limited to, a DSL modem, a wireless access point, a router,a base station, and a gateway. The network appliance may communicate theinput current measured by the current sensor to the second device, orthe pulse generator 208 therewith, over the network. The pulse generator208 may be configured to monitor the input current in signalcommunication with the performance controller 210. In some embodiments,the input current across the circuit breaker 204 may be monitored by theperformance controller 210 using the current sensor.

At step 304, a predefined threshold current associated with the circuitbreaker 204 may be determined. In one embodiment, the pulse generator208 may be configured with a threshold current for the circuit breaker204. The threshold current may be predefined or dynamically defined by auser via a user interface or defined by the performance controller 210based on a transition delay of the power signal while delivering theinput current across the circuit breaker 204. A skilled artisan wouldunderstand any other aspects for the pulse generator 208 toautomatically define the threshold current. In some embodiments, thepulse generator 208 may predefine a base threshold current that may bemanipulated by a user for operation. The threshold current may bedefined less than the cut-off current for enabling the pulse generator208 to initiate configuring the pulse-output signal being generatedtherefrom in communication with the performance controller 210 andprevent the circuit breaker 204 from being tripped for the predefinedoperational period.

At step 306, a set of one or more pulses per second and a cut-offfrequency associated with a pulsed signal is determined. The pulsegenerator 208 may be preconfigured in communication with the performancecontroller 210 to generate a pulse signal such as the pulsed-outputsignal 212 for driving the UV lamp 120. The pulsed-output signal 212 mayinclude one or more pulses per second defining a pulse frequencythereof. In one embodiment, the pulse generator 208 may determine a setof one or more pulse frequencies associated with the pulsed-outputsignal 212. For example, the pulsed-output signal 212 may be configuredwith a set frequency (e.g., 20 pulses per second or 20 Hz) within apredefined frequency range (e.g., 1 Hz to 50 Hz). Another example mayinclude the pulsed-output signal 212 being configured with multiple setfrequencies (e.g., 20 pulses per second for the first 60 seconds,followed by 10 pulses per second for the remaining operational period)within the predefined frequency range. Further, the pulse generator 208may be configured to determine a predetermined cut-off frequencyassociated with the pulsed-output signal 212. Since a frequency of thepulsed-output signal 212 may be proportional to the input current acrossthe circuit breaker 204 based on Equation 8, any increase in suchfrequency may also increase the input current. Depending on a presetcurrent rating of the circuit breaker 204, the frequency (i.e., cut-offfrequency) at which the pulsed-output signal 212 causes the inputcurrent to exceed the cut-off current and trip the circuit breaker 204,may be predetermined and stored in a memory (not shown) associated withthe PUV device 100 or the performance improvement unit 130 (e.g., withthe pulse generator 208 or the performance controller 210). Duringoperation, the pulse generator 208 may access the memory and determinethe cut-off frequency associated with the pulsed-output signal 212.

At step 308, the input current across the circuit breaker 204 and thepredefined threshold current may be compared. In one embodiment, thepulse generator 208 may generate the pulsed-output signal 212 at apreset pulse frequency. Based on the pulsed-output signal 212, the pulsegenerator 208 may check and compare the input current across the circuitbreaker 204 with the predefined threshold current. For example, thepulse generator 208 may be configured to determine whether or not theinput current exceeds the predefined threshold current. For a givenfrequency of the generated pulsed-output signal 212, the pulse generator208 may be configured to execute a step 310 if the input current exceedsthe predefined threshold current, else may continue to monitor the inputcurrent across the circuit breaker 204 at step 302.

At step 310, the pulsed-output signal 212 may be configured withmultiple distinct pulse frequencies per second for a predefined period.In one embodiment, unlike the typical one frequency of pulses persecond, the pulse generator 208 may configure the pulsed-output signal212 with multiple distinct pulse frequencies per second (or compoundfrequencies) based on a corresponding input current exceeding thepredefined threshold current. In one example, for each second within apredefined period (e.g., an operational period such as a disinfectioncycle), the pulse generator 208 may add a new frequency or adjust anexisting frequency of the pulsed-output signal 212 for being configuredwith the compound frequencies; however, another example may include thepredefined period being shorter than the operational period or thedisinfection cycle. The compound frequencies may include two or moredistinct pulse frequencies belonging to any suitable frequency rangedepending on the cut-off frequency. For example, the compoundfrequencies may range from 1 Hz to 50 Hz for a cut-off frequency of 29Hz; however, other suitable frequency ranges may be contemplatedincluding those having an upper frequency greater than 50 Hz.

In one embodiment, the pulse generator 208 may include at least onefrequency in the compound frequencies being greater than or equal to thecut-off frequency to maximize the UV output of the UV lamp 120. Forexample, the pulse generator 208 may generate the pulsed-output signal212 at a set pulse frequency of 28 Hz for different operational periodsor disinfection cycles such as 5 minutes and 10 minutes as shown inFIGS. 7A-7B, and may be associated with a cut-off frequency of 29 Hz asshown in FIGS. 4A-4B. FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate graphs of test resultsindicating voltages and currents across the circuit breaker 204 uponbeing driven by the pulsed signal at a fixed or set frequency of 28 Hz.Particularly, the FIGS. 7A-7B indicate the voltage and current changescaused across the circuit breaker 204 by the pulsed-output signal 212 at28 Hz for operational durations of 5 minutes and 10 minutesrespectively. In FIGS. 7A-7B, electrical parameter values are indicatedalong the y-axis and the operational durations are indicated along thex-axis. The graphs also include a curve X (red lines) and a curve Y(blue lines) indicating the input current and the voltage across thecircuit breaker 204 respectively during a predefined operational period.The current values for the curve X are indicated on the left y-axis andthe voltage values for the curve Y are indicated on the right y-axis.The rise and fall in the curves X and Y may be due to charging anddischarging of capacitors in the pulse generator 208 to generate thepulsed-output signal 212 which may affect the input current across thecircuit breaker 204 based on the above Equation 8. For both theoperational durations 5 minutes and 10 minutes shown in the FIGS. 7A-7Brespectively, the pulsed-output signal 212 successfully drives the UVlamp 120 without tripping the circuit breaker 204, as indicated by thevoltage (indicated by curve Y) and the current (indicated by curve X)across the circuit breaker 204 going back to the near-starting levelsonly after the end of the operational durations, similar to that shownin FIG. 4A.

In one embodiment, the pulse generator 208 may configure thepulsed-output signal 212 with the compound frequencies including atleast one frequency being equal to or greater than the cut-off frequencysuch as 29 Hz. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8C and FIGS. 9A-9C,which illustrate exemplary graphs of test results depicting voltages andcurrents across the circuit breaker 204 upon being regulated by theperformance improvement unit 130. In FIGS. 8A-8C and FIGS. 9A-9C,electrical parameter values are indicated along the y-axis and theoperational durations are indicated along the x-axis. The graphs alsoinclude a curve X (red lines) and a curve Y (blue lines) indicating theinput current and the voltage across the circuit breaker 204respectively during a predefined operational period. The current valuesfor the curve X are indicated on the left y-axis and the voltage valuesfor the curve Y are indicated on the right y-axis. The rise and fall inthe curves X and Y are due to charging and discharging of capacitors inthe pulse generator 208 to generate the pulsed-output signal 212 whichmay affect the input current across the circuit breaker 204 based on theabove Equation 8.

In a first example, the compound frequencies may include at least onefrequency in the compound frequency being equal to the cut-offfrequency, e.g., 29 Hz, provided at least one other frequency, e.g., 28Hz, in the compound frequencies may be less than the cut-off frequency.The FIGS. 8A-8C indicate the voltage and current changes caused acrossthe circuit breaker 204 by the pulsed-output signal 212 at compoundfrequencies of 28 Hz, 29 Hz per second for operational durations of 3minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes respectively. For each of theoperational durations 3 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes shown in theFIGS. 8A-8C respectively, the pulsed-output signal 212 successfullydrives the UV lamp 120 without tripping the circuit breaker 204, asindicated by the voltage (indicated by curve Y) and the current(indicated by curve X) across the circuit breaker 204 going back to thenear-starting levels only after the end of the operational durations atpoints III and IV respectively.

In a second example, the compound frequencies may include at least onefrequency, e.g., 30 Hz, in the compound frequency being greater than thecut-off frequency, e.g., 29 Hz, provided at least one other frequency,e.g., 28 Hz, in the compound frequencies may be less than the cut-offfrequency. Similar to FIGS. 8A-8C, the FIGS. 9A-9C indicate the voltageand current changes caused across the circuit breaker 204 by thepulsed-output signal 212 at compound frequencies of 28 Hz, 30 Hz persecond for operational durations of 3 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutesrespectively. For each of the operational durations 3 minutes, 5minutes, and 10 minutes shown in the FIGS. 9A-9C respectively, thepulsed-output signal 212 successfully drives the UV lamp 120 withouttripping the circuit breaker 204, as indicated by the voltage (indicatedby curve Y) and the current (indicated by curve X) across the circuitbreaker 204 going back to the near-starting levels only after the end ofthe operational durations at points III and IV respectively.

The compound frequencies include at least one frequency equal to orgreater than the cut-off frequency which improves the disinfectionperformance of the PUV device 100 by maximizing the UV output of the UVlamp 120. For example, the pulsed-output signal 212 at a set frequency(F) of 28 Hz for 3 minutes (T) with an energy of 30 Joules per pulse(Ep) may drive the UV lamp 120 to produce a total UV energy (E=F×Ep×T)of 151.2 KJ. However, for the same total period of 3 minutes and sameenergy per pulse, the pulsed-output signal 212 at the compoundfrequencies of 28 Hz (F1) and 29 Hz (F2), each for 0.5 seconds, maydrive the UV lamp 120 to produce a total UV energy[E=(F1×Ep×T1)+(F2×Ep×T2)] of 75.6 KJ+78.3 KJ=153.9 KJ, which is greaterthan the UV output with the pulsed-output signal 212 at a set frequencyor single frequency. Moreover, the compound frequencies assist toimprove the electrical performance of the PUV device 100, since theinput current is being held below the cut-off current for theoperational period to prevent the circuit breaker 204 from tripping,despite driving a portion of the pulsed-output signal 212 at a frequencyequal to or greater than the cut-off frequency.

Further, in some embodiments, the compound frequencies includenon-consecutive frequencies. For example, an absolute difference betweenany two frequencies in the compound frequencies may be greater than one,discussed below in further detail. The pulse generator 208 may configurethe pulsed-output signal 212 with the compound frequencies based on oneor more control signals received from the performance controller 210.

FIGS. 10A-10B are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary methodimplemented by the performance controller 210 for providing one or morecontrol signals to configure the pulsed-output signal 212 with compoundfrequencies. The order in which the method 10 is described is notintended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of thedescribed method blocks may be combined, deleted, or otherwise performedin any order to implement the method 10 or an alternate method withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Theexemplary method 10 may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, which may be stored on a computerreadable medium, and installed or embedded in an appropriate device forexecution. Further, the method 10 may be implemented in any suitablehardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof, that exists in therelated art or that is later developed. In one embodiment, the method 10may be implemented by the performance controller 210. However, onehaving ordinary skill in the art would understand that aspects of themethod 10 may be performed on the pulse generator 208.

At step 12, a predefined period for which the pulsed-output signal 212is to be configured may be determined. In one embodiment, theperformance controller 210 may determine a configuration period forwhich the pulsed-output signal 212 may be configured with the compoundfrequencies. The configuration period may be predefined by theperformance controller 210 based on a predetermined disinfection cycleor duration; however, in some embodiments, the configuration period maybe dynamically defined by a user via a user interface of the PUV device100. In some other embodiments, the configuration period may be lessthan the operational period, or the disinfection period or cycle.

At step 14, a number of distinct pulse frequencies per second associatedwith the pulsed-output signal 212 may be determined. The performancecontroller 210, in communication with the pulse generator 208, maydetermine the number of distinct pulse frequencies per second with thepulsed-output signal 212. In one example, the pulsed-output signal 212may have a single set frequency of 20 Hz. In another example, thepulsed-output signal 212 may be operating with compound frequenciesbased on being configured in a previous period/cycle, or being manuallyset therewith by a user via user interface of the PUV device 100.

At step 406, for each second of the configuration period, theperformance controller 210 may determine whether or not the number ofdistinct pulse frequencies per second in the pulsed-output signal 212being greater than one. Such a determination may assist to assess if thepulsed-output signal 212 requires to be preconditioned for being drivenwith the compound frequencies. If the number of distinct pulsefrequencies per second may be one, i.e., not greater than one, then theperformance controller 210 may execute the step 18 for preconditioningthe pulsed-output signal 212. However, the performance controller 210may execute the step 20 if the number of distinct pulse frequencies persecond may be greater than one.

At step 18, a first control signal is provided to modulate one or morecharacteristics of a pulse frequency of the pulsed-output signal 212. Inone embodiment, the performance controller 210 may provide a firstcontrol signal to the pulse generator 208 for modulating one or morecharacteristics (e.g., frequency, pulse width, pulse duration, dutycycle, time period, etc.) of the pulsed-output signal 212 having thenumber of distinct pulse frequencies per second being equal to one. Forexample, if the pulsed-output signal 212 may have a single frequency persecond such as 20 Hz for the configuration period, the performancecontroller 210 may provide the first control signal to the pulsegenerator 208. Upon receiving the first control signal, the pulsecontroller may modulate the pulsed-output signal 212 to create a bufferperiod per second for the configuration period, where the buffer periodof the pulsed-output signal 212 may have zero pulse frequency. Forexample, the pulse generator 208 may employ a variety of frequencymodulation techniques known in the art, related art, or developed laterto reduce the time period of the frequency per second by a predefinedamount, e.g., 100 ms, 150 ms, 200 ms, 350 ms, 500 ms, etc. to create thebuffer period. For instance, if the frequency of the pulsed-outputsignal 212 is 20 pulses per second or 20 Hz, the pulse generator 208 mayreduce the active time period to have the same 20 pulses in 500 msinstead of 1 second. A skilled artisan would understand that any othersuitable characteristics of the pulsed-output signal 212 (e.g., pulsewidth) may also be adjusted for such configuration. The remaining 500 msof each second within the configuration period may be used as the bufferperiod having no pulses or zero pulse frequency. In another example, thepulse generator 208 may reduce the active time period while reducing thefrequency as well by the same amount. For instance, if the active timeperiod per second is halved to 0.5 seconds, the frequency of 20 pulsesmay also be halved to 10 pulses for those active 0.5 seconds. Theremaining 0.5 seconds for each second within the configuration periodmay be used as the buffer period. The performance controller 210 maythen proceed to execute the step 22.

At step 20, if the number of distinct pulse frequencies per second maybe greater than one, the performance controller 210 may compare each ofthe distinct pulse frequencies per second with the predetermined cut-offfrequency. The performance controller 210 may then proceed to executethe step 22.

At step 22, the performance controller 210 may determine if at least onepulse frequency per second with the pulsed-output signal 212 beinggreater than or equal to the cut-off frequency. In case of the number ofdistinct pulse frequencies per second with the pulsed-output signal 212being equal to one as determined in the step 16, the performancecontroller 210 may check if that single pulse frequency of thepulsed-output signal 212 may be greater than or equal to the cut-offfrequency associated with the pulsed-output signal 212. If the number ofdistinct pulse frequencies per second associated with the pulsed-outputsignal 212 include at least one frequency greater than or equal to thecut-off frequency, the performance controller 210 may execute the step26, else the step 24 may be executed.

At step 24, if none of the distinct pulse frequencies per secondassociated with the pulsed-output signal 212 are greater than or equalto the cut-off frequency, the performance controller 210 may provide asecond control signal depending on whether or not the number of distinctpulse frequencies per second determined in step 16 may be greater thanone. In one embodiment, if the number of distinct pulse frequencies persecond associated with the pulsed-output signal 212 may be greater thanone, then the performance controller 210 may provide the second controlsignal to the pulse generator 208 to perform two steps. In a first step,the pulse generator 208 may be signalled to select a highest pulsefrequency from a set of multiple frequencies per second associated withthe pulsed-output signal 212. In a second step, the selected highestfrequency may be adjusted to be a lowest frequency in a predefined groupof upper frequencies, which may include a range of frequencies greaterthan the cut-off frequency. In one example, if the pulsed-output signal212 may have frequencies 15 Hz and 20 Hz per second, a cut-off frequencyof 29 Hz, and the predefined group of upper frequencies ranging from 30Hz to 50 Hz, the second control signal may instruct the pulse generator208 to adjust the highest frequency, i.e., 20 Hz, to the lowestfrequency, i.e., 30 Hz, in the predefined group of upper frequencies. Askilled artisan would be able to contemplate any suitable frequencyrange for the predefined group of upper frequencies and/or a number offrequencies therein. The predefined group of upper frequencies may bedetermined relative to the cut-off frequency. For example, for a cut-offfrequency of 29 Hz, the predefined group of upper frequencies may rangefrom 30 Hz to 50 Hz, 35 Hz to 50 Hz, 40 Hz to 50 Hz, 45 Hz to 50 Hz, andso on.

In another embodiment, if the number of distinct pulse frequencies persecond associated with the pulsed-output signal 212 may be equal to one,the second control signal may instruct the pulse generator 208 to thedrive the buffer period, which was created in the pulsed-output signal212 based on the first control signal at step 18, with the lowestfrequency in the predefined group of upper frequencies. Once thepulsed-output signal 212 may be adjusted for being driven with compoundfrequencies, the performance controller 210 in communication with thepulse controller may execute the step 302 to continue monitoring theinput current across the circuit breaker 204.

At step 26, if at least one of the distinct pulse frequencies per secondassociated with the pulsed-output signal 212 are greater than or equalto the cut-off frequency, the performance controller 210 may provide asecond control signal depending on whether or not the number of distinctpulse frequencies per second determined in step 16 may be greater thanone. In one embodiment, if the number of distinct pulse frequencies persecond associated with the pulsed-output signal 212 may be greater thanone, then the performance controller 210 may provide the second controlsignal to the pulse generator 208 to perform two steps. In a first step,the pulse generator 208 may be signalled by the second control signal toselect a highest pulse frequency from a set of multiple frequencies persecond associated with the pulsed-output signal 212. In a second step,the selected highest frequency may be adjusted or varied reduced by apredefined or dynamically defined factor, to a safe upper frequencybelonging to the predefined group of upper frequencies, which mayinclude a range of frequencies greater than the cut-off frequency. Inone example, the pulsed-output signal 212 may have frequencies 35 Hz and45 Hz per second, a cut-off frequency of 29 Hz, and the predefined groupof upper frequencies ranging from 30 Hz to 50 Hz. The second controlsignal may instruct the pulse generator 208 to reduce the highestfrequency, i.e., 45 Hz, by a predefined or dynamically defined factorsuch as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . , 10, and so on, such that the reducedfrequency belongs to the predefined group of upper frequencies. Forinstance, the highest frequency, i.e., 45 Hz, may be reduced by 2 to anadjusted highest frequency of 43 Hz. In some embodiments, the pulsegenerator 208 may further reduce the safe upper frequency by 2 if anabsolute difference of the safe upper frequency and any other distinctpulse frequency in the compound frequencies may be equal to one. In someembodiments, the safe upper frequency may always be greater than thecut-off frequency. For instance, the safe upper frequency may always beequal to or greater than the lowest frequency in the predefined group ofupper frequencies. In another instance, the safe upper frequency may beless than the lowest frequency in the predefined group of upperfrequencies but greater than the cut-off frequency.

In another embodiment, if the number of distinct pulse frequencies persecond associated with the pulsed-output signal 212 may be equal to one,the second control signal may instruct the pulse generator 208 to thedrive the buffer period, which was created in the pulsed-output signal212 based on the first control signal in step 18, with the lowestfrequency (e.g., 30 Hz) belonging to the predefined group of upperfrequencies. Once the pulsed-output signal 212 has been adjusted to haveat least two distinct pulse frequencies per second for the configurationperiod with at least one frequency above the cut-off frequency, theperformance controller 210 may execute the step 28.

At step 28, the performance controller 210 may determine whether or notthe distinct number of frequencies per second (or compound frequencies)associated with the pulsed-output signal 212 include at least onefrequency less than the cut-off frequency. If the compound frequenciesinclude at least one frequency less than the cut-off frequency, theperformance controller 210 in communication with the pulse controllermay execute the step 302 to continue monitoring the input current acrossthe circuit breaker 204. Else, the performance controller 210 mayexecute the step 30.

At step 30, if the adjusted pulsed-output signal 212 being driven withthe compound frequencies includes no frequency per second within theconfiguration period being less than the cut-off frequency, then theperformance controller 210 may provide a third control signal to thepulse generator 208. The third control signal may instruct the pulsegenerator 208 to select and adjust a lowest frequency in the compoundfrequencies to a highest frequency in a predefined group of lowerfrequencies, which may include a range of frequencies less than thecut-off frequency. In the above example of the pulsed-output signal 212having compound frequencies including 35 Hz and the adjusted frequencyof 43 Hz per second, the cut-off frequency being 29 Hz, and a predefinedgroup of lower frequencies ranging from 1 Hz to 28 Hz, the third controlsignal may instruct the pulse generator 208 to reduce the lowestfrequency, i.e., 35 Hz, to a highest frequency, i.e., 28 Hz, belongingto the predefined group of lower frequencies. A skilled artisan would beable to contemplate any suitable frequency range for the predefinedgroup of lower frequencies and/or a number of frequencies therein. Thepredefined group of lower frequencies may be determined relative to thecut-off frequency. For example, if the cut-off frequency is 29 Hz, thepredefined group of lower frequencies may range from 10 Hz to 28 Hz, 15Hz to 28 Hz, 20 Hz to 28 Hz, 10 Hz to 20 Hz, 2 Hz to 10 Hz, and so on.Once the pulsed-output signal 212 is adjusted for being driven withcompound frequencies including at least one frequency equal to orgreater than the cut-off frequency and at least one frequency less thanthe cut-off frequency, the performance controller 210 in communicationwith the pulse controller may execute the step 302 to continuemonitoring the input current across the circuit breaker 204.

While the foregoing written description of the present disclosureenables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is consideredpresently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill willunderstand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Thepresent disclosure should therefore not be limited by the abovedescribed embodiments, methods, and examples, but by all embodiments andmethods within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Notably,the figures and examples are not meant to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure to a single embodiment, but other embodiments are possible byway of interchanging some or all of the described or illustratedelements based on the concepts described herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for configuring an ultraviolet(UV) device, the method comprising: monitoring, using a pulse generatorcoupled to a processor and a memory, an input current across a circuitbreaker in electrical communication with a UV source, the input currentbeing delivered by a power signal, wherein the input current isinterrupted by the circuit breaker upon exceeding a predefined cut-offcurrent; generating, using the pulse generator, a pulse signal having aset of one or more pulse frequencies for driving the UV source, whereinthe pulse signal is associated with a predetermined cut-off frequencyand wherein the generated pulse signal upon having a single pulsefrequency causes the input current to increase beyond the predefinedcut-off current based on the single pulse frequency exceeding thecut-off frequency; determining, using the pulse generator, a predefinedthreshold current for the circuit breaker, wherein the predefinedthreshold current is less than the cut-off current; and configuring,using the pulse generator, the generated pulse signal to include aplurality of distinct pulse frequencies in at least one second of apredefined configuration period based on the input current exceeding thepredefined threshold current, wherein the plurality of distinct pulsefrequencies in the at least one second includes at least one pulsefrequency being greater than the predetermined cut-off frequency.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the plurality of distinct pulse frequenciesin the at least one second further includes at least one pulse frequencybeing less than the predetermined cut-off frequency.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the pulse signal is generated at constant voltagerelative to an operating voltage of the UV source.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the step of configuring further comprises receiving afirst control signal from a performance controller, wherein the firstcontrol signal is configured to modulate one or more characteristics ofa pulse frequency in the set to create a buffer period in the at leastone second within the predefined configuration period when the setincludes a single pulse frequency in the at least one second.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the buffer period has zero pulse frequency.6. The method of claim 4, the step of configuring further comprisesreceiving a second control signal from the performance controller, thesecond control signal being configured to drive the buffer period with alowest frequency in a predefined group of upper frequencies when thesingle pulse frequency is less than the predetermined cut-off frequency,wherein the predefined group of upper frequencies are greater than thepredetermined cut-off frequency.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thestep of configuring further comprises: receiving a first control signalfrom a performance controller based on a number of distinct pulsefrequencies in the at least one second in the set being greater thanone, wherein the first control signal is configured to: select a highestfrequency in the set, wherein the highest frequency is greater than thepredetermined cut-off frequency; and adjust the selected highestfrequency by a predefined factor to a safe upper frequency belonging toa predefined group of upper frequencies greater than the predeterminedcut-off frequency.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:receiving a second control signal from the performance controller basedon each of the distinct pulse frequencies in the at least one second inthe set being less than the predetermined cut-off frequency, wherein thesecond control signal is configured to: select a lowest frequency in theset, wherein the lowest frequency is less than the predetermined cut-offfrequency; and adjust the selected lowest frequency to a highestfrequency in a predefined group of lower frequencies less than thepredetermined cut-off frequency.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of distinct pulse frequencies in the at least one secondranges from 2 Hz to 50 Hz.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of distinct pulse frequencies in the at least one secondinclude non-consecutive pulse frequencies.
 11. A system for configuringan ultraviolet (UV) device, the system comprising: a UV source forgenerating pulsed light; a circuit breaker in electrical communicationwith a power supply providing a power signal carrying an input current,wherein the circuit breaker is configured to interrupt the input currentupon exceeding a predefined cut-off current; and a pulse generator inelectrical communication with the circuit breaker and the UV source,wherein the pulse generator is configured to: monitor the input currentacross the circuit breaker; generate a pulse signal having a set of oneor more pulse frequencies for driving the UV source, wherein the pulsesignal is associated with a predetermined cut-off frequency and whereinthe generated pulse signal upon having a single pulse frequency causesthe input current to increase beyond the predefined cut-off currentbased on the single pulse frequency exceeding cut-off frequency;determine a predefined threshold current for the circuit breaker,wherein the predefined threshold current is less than the cut-offcurrent; and configure the generated pulse signal to include a pluralityof distinct pulse frequencies in at least one second of a predefinedconfiguration period based on the input current exceeding the predefinedthreshold current, wherein the plurality of distinct pulse frequenciesin the at least one second includes at least one pulse frequency beinggreater than the predetermined cut-off frequency.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the plurality of distinct pulse frequencies in the atleast one second further includes at least one pulse frequency beingless than the predetermined cut-off frequency.
 13. The system of claim11, wherein the pulse generator is further configured to generate thepulse signal at constant voltage relative to an operating voltage of theUV source.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the pulse generator isfurther configured to receive a first control signal from a performancecontroller, wherein the first control signal is configured to modulateone or more characteristics of a pulse frequency in the set to create abuffer period in the at least one second within the predefinedconfiguration period when the set includes a single pulse frequency inthe at least one second.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the bufferperiod has zero pulse frequency.
 16. The system of claim 14, the pulsegenerator is further configured to receive a second control signal fromthe performance controller, the second control signal being configuredto drive the buffer period with a lowest frequency in a predefined groupof upper frequencies when the single pulse frequency is less than thepredetermined cut-off frequency, wherein the predefined group of upperfrequencies are greater than the predetermined cut-off frequency. 17.The system of claim 11, wherein the pulse generator is furtherconfigured to: receive a first control signal from a performancecontroller based on a number of distinct pulse frequencies in the atleast one second in the set being greater than one, wherein the firstcontrol signal is configured to: select a highest frequency in the set,wherein the highest frequency is greater than the predetermined cut-offfrequency; and adjust the selected highest frequency by a predefinedfactor to a safe upper frequency belonging to a predefined group ofupper frequencies greater than the predetermined cut-off frequency. 18.The system of claim 17, wherein the pulse generator is furtherconfigured to: receive a second control signal from the performancecontroller based on each of the distinct pulse frequencies in the atleast one second in the set being less than the predetermined cut-offfrequency, wherein the second control signal is configured to: select alowest frequency in the set, wherein the lowest frequency is less thanthe predetermined cut-off frequency; and adjust the selected lowestfrequency to a highest frequency in a predefined group of lowerfrequencies less than the predetermined cut-off frequency.
 19. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the plurality of distinct pulse frequenciesin the at least one second ranges from 2 Hz to 50 Hz.
 20. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the plurality of distinct pulse frequencies in the atleast one second include non-consecutive pulse frequencies.